…Seeks Provision of Toilet, Water to Counter Cholera Outbreak
By Udesinanna Stephen
The Inclusive Forum for Accountable Society (IFAS) has called on the government to address the infrastructure deficits in schools by collaborating with civil society organizations that have direct connections with community members.
This was reached at the IFAS quarterly meeting held at the Environmental Development and Family Health Organization (EDFHO) office, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
IFAS is established by Environmental Development and Family Health Organization (EDFHO) to implement its Local Right Programme (LRP) with support from Actionaid, Nigeria. IFAS is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring increasing effectiveness of accountability and transparency, fostering partnership and collaboration between the Communities civil societies and government both at state and local level.
The Executive Director of Director of EDFHO, Sir. Olu Ogunrotimi, called on the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to facilitate perimeter fencing of primary school in Ijaro Ekiti, ilejemeje Local government area and other schools for security purpose and provision of toilets and water facilities in all schools, which is a step to counter cholera outbreak.
Emphasizing the provision of facilities in schools and the communities, the Director said, “The government should empower the Civil societies and members of the various communities for proper monitoring of contractors to ensure quality works delivery. We work in these communities and have direct contact with them.”
The meeting, chaired by the Executive Director of Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Nigeria (SWAAN), Dr. Mary Ebunoluwa Adeyenyu, a member of the forum cautioned residents to take hygiene seriously in response to the spread of the diseases.
She said, “Cholera, as we know, is a diarrhea disease, a deadly bacterial disease, but if reported early, it can be treated. It is contracted from drinking contaminated water and other drinks or contaminated food; it thrives where there is poor hygiene; toilet and water supply are needed to sustain better hygiene.
“I do not recommend well water and not all boreholes are safe; Fruits and vegetables can easily be contaminated. Therefore, cooking is important to kill germs and bacteria. It is better to cook your food and eat it hot.” She added.
She also commended the government and the civil societies for their proactiveness on cholera news via sensitization and the readiness of medical teams.